The launch event at Exeter Library was successful and enjoyed by all. We sold 86 copies of Dancing with the Birdman. Afterward, members dropped by the Roman Gate Waterstone's to chat to Margaret James - see below - at her own launch of The Silver Locket (and get a free chocolate Hero).

Dancing with the Birdman was launched on Saturday 13th November at Exeter Central Library and included short readings by each of the writers.From our official press release:

Creativity thrives in Exeter – new collection of city writing is published

The perils of piano lessons in later life, an allergy to blue and white plates and vengeful ghosts – just some of the surprising, entertaining and thought-provoking storylines examined in a new book which is a celebration of Exeter’s creativity.The collection is entitled Dancing with the Birdman, chosen from the submission by American screenplay writer Pete Simpson who now lives in Devon. Twenty eight writers aged from their 20’s to 90’s are represented in this book of stories, poems, plays and sketches.The collection marks the 60th anniversary of the Exeter Writers, a group which meets fortnightly with the aim of encouraging creative writing in all forms.Amongst the contributors are historical novelist Margaret James, whose 14th book The Silver Locket is also being published this month. There is also a story from teenagers’ writer Ellen Renner, author of Castle of Shadows, which received rave reviews in The Times. David Evans, author of the children’s book Thistledown Farm: Farmer John's Boots and other stories, has written a Farmer John story especially for the collection. Other contributors include Exeter University Writer in Residence Clare George, Yeovil Novel competition winner Sophie Duffy, and multiple short story and playwriting competition winner Clare Girvan.Cathie Hartigan, who teaches creative writing at Exeter College and helped put the anthology together, said: “We certainly have some star writers who’ve achieved critical acclaim. But the book contains pieces of exceptional quality by everyone.“The contributors come from a wide variety of backgrounds and occupations. What they have in common is that they all love writing and sharing what they’ve written.“This is the second Anthology and it fittingly celebrates our diamond anniversary. The last one, published in 2007, won the David St John Thomas Charitable Trust's annual Writers' Circles Anthology Trophy, so we are hoping for good things for this one.”

Exeter Writers is delighted to announce the opening of its 2010/11 Short Story Competition. For this third annual competition, the first prize has been increased to £250. Entries are invited from all writers, and the closing date is 31 March 2011. For more information and entry details, see the Competition page.

We just added an affiliated link to Cyprus Well. Going under the banner "Literature for everyone in the South West", it's a Lottery-funded registered charity that aims to be a central focus and contact point for all literature-related activities in South-West England.

Cyprus Well is the literature development agency for the South West. As a charity our role is to work with our partners to raise funds to ensure that everyone in the South West can have access to the benefits of reading, writing and enjoying literature.

DEVON children's author Ellen Renner who wowed the literary scene with her debut book is in line for further recognition — this time for the sequel.Her second adventure thriller City of Thieves follows her compelling first novel Castle of Shadows, which won the Cornerstones WOW Factor Award for New Writers.

See Ellen's website for more about City of Thieves, which was released today. The author will be appearing at the Paignton Green Festival and giving a reading from the book on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 17, 2010.

We're pleased to announce the official launch of Castle of Shadows, a children's novel by Exeter Writers member Ellen Renner.

The book was given a positive review in The Times ...

Adventure stories involving brave boys and girls, a dash of magic and a lot of suspense were once commonplace in children's fiction, thanks to writers such as Joan Aiken, Susan Cooper, Alan Garner and even the much-maligned Enid Blyton. All these have stood the test of time; but where are their heirs? For lovers of Aiken, Ellen Renner's debut, Castle of Shadows, is not to be missed. Set in a country very much like Victorian England, its king is mad and its loved queen has been missing for most of Princess Charlie's life. Charlie has roamed the Castle of Quale for years, learning its secret hideaways and being bullied by servants while her crazy father suspends himself from the ceiling to build a towering castle of cards instead of running the kingdom.

Any adventure that begins with a country 'going down the plinker', revolution brewing and a heroine as spirited as Charlie is going to grab readers aged eight and older by the neck and not let go. Renner's story bristles with talent and brio, craft and polish. Whether Charlie is running through the castle's maze of rooms or out to the gardens where Toby, the gardener's boy, teases her, you know that you're in the hands of a proper storyteller whose characters speak, scold and lie convincingly, and whose plot is full of unpredictable twists.

If Charlie is the usual feisty upper-class brat, she is lippy enough to delight. Once she discovers an unfinished letter from her missing mother, expressing love for her daughter and a fear of what her scientific inventions have led to, the prime minister becomes strangely eager to take up Charlie. But what or who did the queen fear so much? The ending leaves you panting for the sequel, City of Thieves, out this summer.- Brave boys and girls in children’s fiction, Amanda Craig, The Times, January 30, 2010.